'Planetary' Documentary to Get Simultaneous Theatrical, Vimeo Release on Earth Day

Abramorama, Vimeo and SHFT.com have partnered to distribute the Planetary environmental documentary, which will get a global day-and-date theatrical and Vimeo On Demand release on Earth Day, April 22.

The distribution plan marks the first time that Vimeo has partnered to present the theatrical release of a feature film in addition to its exclusive Vimeo On Demand window. Planetary, which is set to have its world premiere at SXSW on Tuesday, is a cross-continental cinematic journey featuring imagery from NASA missions interwoven with scenes on the ground, at Buddhist monasteries in the Himalayas and in downtown Tokyo and Manhattan.

The documentary also features interviews with experts who speak about how our worldview is profoundly affecting life on Earth. Those interviewed include astronauts, environmentalist Bill McKibben, anthropologist Wade Davis, National Book Award winner Barry Lopez, National Geographic explorer Elizabeth Lindsey and head of the Tibetan Buddhist Kagyu school, the 17th Karmapa.

The film will have special screenings in major cities around the U.S. and is already available for pre-order (for $12.99) on Vimeo.

Abramorama president Richard Abramowitz said in a statement, "Planetary is an extension of our intent to provide thoughtful experiential films to the expanding community of people looking to connect. We're thrilled to be working with the filmmakers and distribution partners in this new model to show the film in theaters across the nation and around the globe."

The film, a Planetary Collective in association with Reconsider production, is a follow-up to the award-winning short film Overview, featuring astronauts' stories of what it means to see the Earth from space, which was featured on Vimeo Staff Picks and has received nearly 7 million views to date.

Vimeo's film and video creative director Jeremy Boxer said, "We are excited and proud to present Planetary to the world. The film was incubated on Vimeo and only fitting that we release this beautiful film globally on Vimeo On Demand."

SHFT.com co-founder Peter Glatzer added, "When we first saw Overview, we knew we had to find the filmmakers and figure out a way to work with them. We are proud to be working with Planetary Collective and our distribution partners on a film that shares so many of the core values we hold at SHFT." SHFT is a lifestyle platform for conscious consumers founded by Glatzer and Adrian Grenier.

Planetary is the debut feature from Planetary Collective and is directed by Guy Reid, written and edited by Steve Watts Kennedy.

The deal was negotiated on behalf of the filmmakers by Abramowitz and Thought Engine's Karol Martesko-Fenster, by Boxer and Sam Morrill for Vimeo, and by Glatzer for SHFT.

Reconsider president Stephen Apkon said, "We can't think of a more important film to be involved with, or a better team than Planetary Collective. At the heart of all of our environmental and social challenges is a profound disconnection with the natural world. Planetary deals with this magnificently - not from a place of fear, but of affection. For this planet we call home and for the experience of life itself."